The organizers behind a plan for Chicago’s first LGBTA school have pulled it from consideration by the Chicago Public School (CPS) board—at least for now.
CPS was scheduled to vote on the facility Nov. 19.
Originally, CPS CEO Arne Duncan included the facility—initially called the School for Social Justice Pride Campus—in his recommendation of 20 proposed schools. The proposed school, which would have opened in 2010, would have been open to all students, but would cater to the needs of LGBTQ students and their allies. CPS had been scheduled to vote on the school Oct. 22, but those plans were pushed to Nov. 19.
The school had more than its share of supporters, but also had its opponents—including Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who, in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, called the plan ‘controversial’ and was concerned that it would isolate LGBTQ youth.
In the face of criticism, school organizers revised the plan, changing the school’s name (to the Social Justice Solidarity High School) and removing references to gay students in its mission statement, the Sun-Times reported. However, Katherine Hogan told WTTW-11 that, in the end, the design team could not unanimously ‘agree that this proposal should go through.’
Hogan added that the team is determined to submit a ‘stronger’ plan next year, in time for the school’s planned 2010 opening.